Jaws

SmokeScreeners rating:   

Year of Release:  1975

MPAA Rating:  PG

Director:  Steven Spielberg

Film reviewed by Dr. Barry Hummel on 11/10/2007

Dr. Hummel posted the following additional comments: 

"In the classic Steven Spielberg film Jaws (1975), there were plenty of smoking scenes.  Here are a few scenes that I think are the most important.

Almost everyone remembers the scene in which Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) reviews the autopsy results of the first victim.  Here is a clip from that scene:

[youtube:YFGEK3Bdvqs]

What I find interesting about this is Hooper's reaction.  He is not afraid to stop Brody from smoking in this work environment.  This was not a common sentiment in 1975, when this film was produced.  In fact, it would be another 20+ years before true reform began to occur to reduce workplace exposure to secondhand smoke. 

Now look at this scene, in which Brody (Roy Scheider) confronts the Mayor of Amity (Murray Hamilton) in a local hospital after one of the shark attacks: 

[youtube:uqu8g-tVNag]

A very nervous Mayor Vaughn struggles with a decision that will impact his political future; in the midst of this struggle, he turns to an old friend:  tobacco.  He is going to have his "smoke" despite the fact that he is in an emergency room full of patients.  Where is Matt Hooper when we need him?

Finally, I had to toss in this classic scene:

[youtube:u6cMVfm06Ik]

This is one of the most recognizable scenes from the film.  It is, after all, the very first time we see the open jaws of the great white shark popping out of the water.  Call me silly, but is that cigarette really necessary?

By the way, in 2004 there were 7 deaths from shark attacks worldwide.  In contrast, worldwide tobacco deaths are roughly 5,000,000 each year.  The great irony is that the Brody's of the world are more likely to die as a result of smoking than because of a great white shark attack!"